Travelers to Egypt Face a Doubling of Its Visa Fee

Maggie Michael, Associated Press

- Feb 25, 2017 2:04 pm

Skift Take

Travelers considering a trip to Egypt were already weighing its beautiful resorts and attractions against the risk of turmoil. So the country’s plans to levy higher visa fees on visitors seems ill-timed.

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Egyptian airport officials say that authorities are more than doubling the cost of entry visas for foreign visitors starting next week.

The officials said Friday that foreigners will have to pay 60 dollars per visa, up from 25 dollars and 70 for multiple entry visas. They added that banks and tour agencies received a notification from the Foreign Ministry about the new price hike, which will go into effect on Wednesday.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the press.

The price increase comes as the country’s vital tourism industry struggles to rehabilitate itself after a crushing blow in 2015 when Islamic militants downed a Russian airliner killing everyone on board.

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Photo Credit: An Egyptian policeman checks a tourist's passport at the main entrance to the Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt. Egypt plans to levy higher fees on tourists and business travellers visiting the country. Ahmed Abd El-Latif / Associated Press